Seeing a successful large special event come to pass is something like watching a waltz danced flawlessly. The experts make it look easy, effortless. But you know that hours of practice went into making it look that easy.
Many organizations must work closely together to enable success at large event, and not everything always goes smoothly. Think of all the components that require coordination—transportation, security, emergency services, construction, power, hospitality as well as food and beverage services. And don’t forget communications!
Such was the case with the recent visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia. Planners estimated that the event would attract as many as 1.5 million visitors. Preparations for the Pope’s visit, held in conjunction with the World Meeting of Families, produced a whirlwind of activity, which required the coordination of several companies and thousands of event professionals. The Philadelphia visit included a concert featuring Andréa Bocelli, two papal parades and an outdoor mass, a speech at Independence Hall and a visit to the city’s largest jail, Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. Click the picture on the right to see a time-lapse video of preparations for the Pope's Philadelphia visit.
In advance of the Pope’s arrival, EWA received requests from three organizations for Special Temporary Authority (STA) to permit the temporary use of channels to support the intense communications requirements of the event. STAs are an ideal communications choice for an event like the Pope’s visit because they:
- Permit use of dedicated channels for a specific, normally limited period of time;
- Are issued by the FCC when the applicant provides evidence that it cannot wait for approval to use dedicated channels through the normal license application process;
- Have a fixed expiration date, usually no longer than six months from issuance; and
- Authorize use of the dedicated channels on a secondary, non-interference basis.
Over the years, EWA has secured STAs for major events like the National Football League draft, the Summer Olympics, Special Olympics, Super Bowl Halftime shows, Ellis Island Foundation-Statue of Liberty lighting, the Lollapalooza music festival and the Academy of Country Music Awards, among others.
Initially, EWA filed for three STAs (to fill each company’s request). Just before the Pope arrived, one company asked EWA to file for an additional STA—an emergency request. EWA worked with the FCC to have the emergency STA granted within 48 hours.
The STAs enabled teams of workers and volunteers to carry out standard and emergency communications, including to:
- Coordinate production, medical and security personnel for the parade and speaking events;
- Ensure the regular and safe flow of passengers traveling from the Eastern Seaboard, including those walking from New Jersey; and
- Provide emergency communications in the event of a network outage.
EWA is honored to have played a small part in this historic event. “I achieve a great deal of satisfaction in fulfilling a customer’s needs,” said Spectrum Advisor Karen Holmes. “When we, at EWA, can accommodate short-notice STA requests and at the same time be a part of such a historical event as the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, it makes me extremely proud of the services EWA provides. It was rewarding to play a small part in making this event come together.”